Frost dates for 23692Yorktown, VA
The average last spring frost in Yorktown is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 3 | Oct 20 · Oct 31 · Nov 11 | 198 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 31 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 20 · Apr 4 | Nov 5 · Nov 20 · Dec 8 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Yorktown
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23692 is matched to the NOAA station Newport News Intl Ap, VA, 5.1 km away, at 42 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport News Intl Ap, VA (used) | 42 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 9 |
| Langley Afb, VA | 10 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 15 |
| Williamsburg 2 N, VA | 70 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 10 |
| Norfolk Nas, VA | 17 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
Frost dates near Yorktown
- Seaford, VA 23696 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Yorktown, VA 23693 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Newport News, VA 23609 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Poquoson, VA 23662 · last Mar 24, first Nov 15
- Gloucester Point, VA 23062 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Lackey, VA 23694 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Fort Eustis, VA 23604 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Bena, VA 23018 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Yorktown, VA?
- For ZIP code 23692, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newport News Intl Ap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Yorktown, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23692?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.